tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79382273511040626942015-02-04T14:14:28.977-08:00Gail Wendorf StudioA journal of the journey of an oil painter (Gail Wendorf), living in Glenfinnan, Scotland; specializing in figurative studies involving music and/or dance, and landscapes.Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-27846362613088694802015-02-04T14:14:00.001-08:002015-02-04T14:14:29.011-08:00Life's 90 Degree Turns....The Roller Coaster Continues!Brilliant news! &nbsp;The commission is mostly complete. &nbsp;My clients loved the Team Roping painting, have accepted it, and all that's left is a small piece on their section of the Brazos River - which can't even be begun until the Spring when the weather warms up! <br /><br />I'm now floating again; re-evauating my goals for returning home to the USA for ANY period of time, and focusing on so many things that got put aside as I was trying to find my way through the challenge of a commission that stretched me as an artist. &nbsp;The best experience!!! &nbsp;Watch this space... my new pieces on the easel are from both the West Texas subjects I'm finding so challenging and rewarding, and a ceilidh painting from France. &nbsp;I'm passionate about their passion!! &nbsp;See the sketches below!!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnbGwFOLYM8/VNKYiDofXfI/AAAAAAAAAYI/mR0f4BIdlh8/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnbGwFOLYM8/VNKYiDofXfI/AAAAAAAAAYI/mR0f4BIdlh8/s1600/004.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-whyqq4H922w/VNKYiM4a2CI/AAAAAAAAAYM/3V7_GiTKJFo/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-whyqq4H922w/VNKYiM4a2CI/AAAAAAAAAYM/3V7_GiTKJFo/s1600/005.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As to the subject of the title....all I can say at this point is to listen to these blogs... changes are afoot once again. &nbsp;In the meantime, I'm giving a talk this week to an Art Practicum class at UT Commerce, taught by my good friend, photographer Ginger Cooke. &nbsp;I'm honored by the chance to give these students the benefit of my experience. &nbsp;It'll be hard not to scare them too much....but to be truthful, there were no such classes when I was at University; and I learned the business of being an artist by sheer tough experience. &nbsp;If I'd had a backup career once I made the leap off the cliff to paint full-time in 1998, I'd have taken it long ago! &nbsp;Its not an easy life, but more rewarding than I ever imagined. &nbsp;I just knew I could do NOTHING else by then. &nbsp;</div>Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-91080292314006632172015-01-20T10:17:00.001-08:002015-01-20T10:17:58.904-08:00Decisions, DecisionsI've had my nose to the proverbial grindstone lately.... working on a new painting that will hopefully be accepted by my clients for at least part of the commission. &nbsp;Its finished, I think. &nbsp;This is always the point where I have to make a second leap.... the first being the start of a painting.... that the picture has resolved itself, regardless how much or how little paint is on the canvas. &nbsp;And then, the third leap - at least in this case, because this is a very wide-open commission I'm working on - is waiting to see if the clients like or dislike, alot or a little, the paintings. (Usually, my clients approve sketches before I even put paint to canvas, so that I'm sure they'll love the end result! In this case, they liked the general idea, and yet, I had to make a leap to keep working - highly unusual in my usually very controlled commission work!) I'm at the point where I'll soon find out if the commission is resolving itself, is resolved, or if I need to re-attack the 'problem'! &nbsp;So much of being an artist, for me, is patience, and waiting..... &nbsp;So here are the two main pieces, and soon, we'll know if I'm done, nearly done, or have more work.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abe5PZFcrtc/VL6a2TZ3t7I/AAAAAAAAAXk/LCr0D26WfCQ/s1600/Team%2BRoping%2B36%2Bx%2B48%2Bin.%2C%2Boil%2Bon%2Bcanvas%2C%2B%C2%A34%2C000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abe5PZFcrtc/VL6a2TZ3t7I/AAAAAAAAAXk/LCr0D26WfCQ/s1600/Team%2BRoping%2B36%2Bx%2B48%2Bin.%2C%2Boil%2Bon%2Bcanvas%2C%2B%C2%A34%2C000.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Calf Team Roping at 4 Flags, 36 x 48 in., oil on canvas, £4,000</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k-yRrPKciRY/VL6a6amN6oI/AAAAAAAAAXs/ga2dUzMaWds/s1600/Criders%2B%232%2C%2BWAT%2B2014%2C%2B36%2Bx%2B48%2Bin.%2C%2Boil%2Bon%2Bcanvas%2C%2B%C2%A34%2C000%2B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k-yRrPKciRY/VL6a6amN6oI/AAAAAAAAAXs/ga2dUzMaWds/s1600/Criders%2B%232%2C%2BWAT%2B2014%2C%2B36%2Bx%2B48%2Bin.%2C%2Boil%2Bon%2Bcanvas%2C%2B%C2%A34%2C000%2B.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Crider's No. 2, WAT 2014, 36 x 48 in., oil on canvas, £4,000</span></div><br />Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-4236056880081293102015-01-07T07:17:00.002-08:002015-01-07T07:17:48.620-08:00Finding The Passion...Its been way too long since I've posted here, but the holidays.... need I say more?!&nbsp; I have been working though.&nbsp; And what I'm loving is that this commission is stretching me.&nbsp; I'm currently working on a team-calf roping painting.&nbsp; Just a bit outside of my comfort zone to be sure!!&nbsp; But, I have a passion for horses, understand them, know how they work, and so does my client.&nbsp; I also have a passion for movement and balance, and my client does as well; riding a horse is about balance.&nbsp; Its a dance, a conversation&nbsp;between horse and human.&nbsp; In the painting I'm working on, I'm finding my own passion, my client's passion and am finding that I can see just what is becoming important in this work.....the movement and balance and speed of the horse(s) and their rider's.&nbsp; The focus it takes for both beings to work together to capture the calf, to ensure it gets its shots, its castration, its brand....&nbsp; <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VtX6JSO6-qI/VK1NZTwtj4I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/zkvV3SKvNTI/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VtX6JSO6-qI/VK1NZTwtj4I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/zkvV3SKvNTI/s1600/001.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />The next question is how do I say all this with color as well.... and its all set in the magnificent West Texas countryside along the Brazos River - which will also dictate the color and light!&nbsp;Then there is the question of what in the painting becomes spotlit, what is important, what is sketched in as quickly as possible....&nbsp;Like I said, these paintings are stretching me!&nbsp; I'd never have pursued this subject on my own, and I'm so very glad I am!<br /><br /><br /><br />Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-11894883265460309972014-11-02T11:38:00.001-08:002014-11-02T11:38:48.358-08:00Acceptance <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9cgRXweng-w/VFaIMtpcsAI/AAAAAAAAAV8/RKYSso-viOo/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9cgRXweng-w/VFaIMtpcsAI/AAAAAAAAAV8/RKYSso-viOo/s1600/073.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">I began a blog this past October, titling it 52 card pick-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I never was able to finish the entry, because life, as it usually does for me, took me, fast forward, into the next stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was suddenly whisked from my time of floating, frustration and insecurity – even if I WAS painting , to action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I suddenly was on my way to Taos, NM; one of the places of my heart, and always a place of healing and focus for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I spent a week there with friends and family, and returned with wheels and the unsold work from my series Waltz Across Texas – both large and small – and a sense of urgency to get going!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was time to start!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yes, I’ve been painting, but I was ready, finally, to start!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">Now, I’ve gone from one extreme to the other.....such is the life of a painter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>You never know when plans you may have laid down months or even years earlier, with a time template and everything, are going to finally swing into place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>No matter how hard I tried, I found I had no choice but to float, to wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And as frustrating and negative as that sounds, and it was, it was just where I needed to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I didn’t see it until I got to the clarity that I find in Taos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I realized that I had leapt off the cliff, or tossed my cards into the air, and I didn’t fall....but I floated, and have kept floating, watching, using small movements to help me keep direction, but am still floating; and it’s good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m enjoying it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m not crashing into the ground!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Who knows where the bottom will be, but if and when I need to land, it will be toe, roll down to heel, first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">I’m painting again, but laying the groundwork first – to find the real direction this commission is going to take. I’m immersed in my giant Waltz Across Texas paintings, and letting them speak to me and take me where I need to go! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>Floating is good!!<o:p></o:p></span><br /> Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-17154469622469801972014-11-02T11:34:00.000-08:002014-11-02T11:34:00.565-08:0052 Card Pickup....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aqiSTit-G9k/VDQPZH-Q5TI/AAAAAAAAAVU/nQ4B1NJ1D94/s1600/Modern%2BCliff%2BDweller%2C%2BThe%2BBrazos%2BRiver%2C%2B16%2Bx%2B12%2Bin.%2C%2Boil%2Bon%2Bboard%2C%2B%C2%A31%2C250.00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aqiSTit-G9k/VDQPZH-Q5TI/AAAAAAAAAVU/nQ4B1NJ1D94/s1600/Modern%2BCliff%2BDweller%2C%2BThe%2BBrazos%2BRiver%2C%2B16%2Bx%2B12%2Bin.%2C%2Boil%2Bon%2Bboard%2C%2B%C2%A31%2C250.00.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: xx-small;">Modern Cliff Dwellers, The Brazos River, 16 x 12 in., oil on board, £1,250.00</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: xx-small;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Nothing like tossing your life into the air in one massive 'game' of 52 card pick-up!&nbsp; I have done just that; and, am still waiting for even ONE of those cards to land.&nbsp; It's unnerving to say the least, to not have any stability - especially for an artist. But perhaps one has, since I am already painting.... began 2 weeks ago, and am on my third.&nbsp; Not the commission yet, but these are like warm-up exercises before I really tackle the big project!&nbsp; HOWEVER,&nbsp; and it's a big one,.... gotta go!!&nbsp;</span></div><br />Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-89529663042423874582014-09-22T13:13:00.000-07:002014-09-22T13:13:03.892-07:00Jumping Without a Net....paint, panic, run, paint, dance, paint, panic, run, breathe, go deep inside, paint, dance.....under water (or so it feels!).&nbsp; This is my first three weeks back in the USA.&nbsp; I'm working again.&nbsp; Painting the Brazos River, dancing to non-stop two stepping music, completely happy,&nbsp;then when I'm done for the day, I panic.... or sometimes, in the morning when I'm running my 6 mile route (3x/week), I panic.&nbsp; This is a HUGE cliff I've leapt off.&nbsp; But, I keep putting one foot in front of the other, breathe deep (no matter what speed I'm going), go deep - check in, dance, paint, breathe, dance, paint, run, breathe.&nbsp; This change from one continent to another (my second change in 6 months...) is proving to be the biggest challenge of my life, so far.&nbsp; All I can do is keep moving forward, into the fog, absolutely trusting that the tracks are perfectly laid for my feet, even though I can't see where they are.&nbsp; The subject for the commission remains elusive, but not impossible.&nbsp; I need to do these two landscapes to flex my painting muscles, make sure my feet are indeed traveling the perfectly laid tracks.&nbsp; <br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2P3zwMVekSg/VCBiuiBNa_I/AAAAAAAAAUE/yJarSTLY7Eg/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2P3zwMVekSg/VCBiuiBNa_I/AAAAAAAAAUE/yJarSTLY7Eg/s1600/002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Paris, TX studio.... with beginning of &nbsp;Hot Day on the Brazos</span></div><br />Challenges - the need for my own wheels is becoming paramount; the lack of independence is beginning to tell on my psyche, my ability to do my job.&nbsp; The phone can wait til I'm in NM, as can a USA driving license, and all the other things necessary to today's life, never mind my work.&nbsp; The illness of my Dad adds to the challenges, but I'm mostly so glad and honoured that I'm here right now and able to see him even for a few days at a time.&nbsp; So much to be grateful for, and the knowledge that I know I'm doing the right thing for me, for my work...<br /><br />I'm trying to decide if its done....what do you think?? &nbsp;I think it is!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7eA2vO2No4/VCBiOkFSefI/AAAAAAAAAT8/SjjjHm-hCh0/s1600/018%2BA.%2Bjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7eA2vO2No4/VCBiOkFSefI/AAAAAAAAAT8/SjjjHm-hCh0/s1600/018%2BA.%2Bjpg.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hot Day on the Brazos, 12 x 16 in., oil on board, £1,250 ($2,000 approx)</span></div><br />Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-17168719175958685402014-09-08T14:05:00.000-07:002014-09-08T14:05:14.510-07:00FINDING MY FEET....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-88GYesVf8GE/VAzShWO4BuI/AAAAAAAAAQM/UomzailR9u8/s1600/166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-88GYesVf8GE/VAzShWO4BuI/AAAAAAAAAQM/UomzailR9u8/s1600/166.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking West on the Brazos River, West of Ft. Worth, TX</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I spent this past Friday looking at this view.&nbsp; After a somewhat spacy, and wonderfully strange re-entry to the USA here in the town of Paris, TX, I am starting to feel my feet - somewhat!!!&nbsp; Its harder than you think to move back&nbsp;to the USA - anywhere - after living 12 years abroad! &nbsp;I've spent time with my Dad in his skilled nursing&nbsp;facility room in Dallas; listening to folk songs and western ballads and watching old movies (he really likes Singing in the Rain). I've spent time calming my poor Ardnamurchan kitty and am happy with her progress (what a brave kitty!), and&nbsp;had a few little tours around Paris, and started my running program.&nbsp; All things designed to help me find&nbsp;my feet so that I can begin to ruminate and work on my commission.&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The thing I did that was best though, was to go out to the ranch on the edge of the Brazos River (Texas) west of Ft. Worth (its a LONG river, so you see why&nbsp; I tell you SORT OF where it is), where my commission will hang...&nbsp; feeling the inspiration literally flow through my veins.&nbsp;I could literally smell the juniper and mesquite, feel the dry heat, and felt like I could see forever.... &nbsp;So, watch this space!&nbsp; I don't think it will be long before I begin to put paint to canvas again....&nbsp; If I don't give myself heatstroke running too late first!!&nbsp; First learned rule, don't run after 730 am until the weather cools...&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">﻿</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">﻿</div>Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-895050382460660572014-07-25T06:17:00.001-07:002014-07-25T06:17:26.217-07:00INTERRUPTING THE PAINTING <br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nzrmczrnsuk/U9JXka4EQxI/AAAAAAAAAP0/czmOORL9a44/s1600/Village+Street,+Auribeau+sur+Siagne,+22+x+18+in.,+oil+on+canvas,+%C2%A32,000.00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nzrmczrnsuk/U9JXka4EQxI/AAAAAAAAAP0/czmOORL9a44/s1600/Village+Street,+Auribeau+sur+Siagne,+22+x+18+in.,+oil+on+canvas,+%C2%A32,000.00.JPG" height="320" width="260" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: xx-small;">Village Street, Auribeau sur Siagne, 22 x 18 in., oil on canvas, £2,000.00</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">I’m now finished with the materials I brought with me to work with, and have decided that it’s time to stop painting for awhile – until I get into the USA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Since my last entry, things have been moving forward at tremendous speed (for shifting one’s life from 2 countries to one “across the pond” at any rate!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I been faced with difficult decisions.... all a result of the decision to move home to paint, and the inevitable questions of what comes with you and what stays behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>No-one should have to make these hard choices, but it seems, we can’t get away from them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">I’m about to, once again, temporarily (I hope) leave my beloved mare, Dancer, behind while I return to make sure that life in the USA still suits us, after living abroad for so many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>THAT was a difficult and necessary decision, made apparent by sudden shifts in the USA around importing livestock into the US from Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m starting to spread the word that I’m selling my car – my mid-life crisis purchase that I’ve enjoyed immensely in the last 2.5 years I’ve had her; and then there will be the inevitable questions once I’m back in Glenfinnan for a short stay, about what is left, what is sold or given away, and what is shipped home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>My little Ardnamurchan cat, Ceilidh, is returning home with me this time....she has her passport, and is young enough to deal with the challenges ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Right now, in Brittany, I’m focusing on Dancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Spending as much precious time with her as possible, making sure she’s completely integrated and accepted in her new herd, and as trouble free as possible for my very generous friend who has agreed to look after her with her own horses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Sadly, I won't be able to make the longed for drive across France to visit the caves at Lascaux, or on to the Cote d'Azur.&nbsp; But, I'll make sure it's part of my agenda when I return to check on Dancer in 6 months. I needed to finish my work, needed to help Dancer, and take care of business...</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">I finished the last painting mid-week last week, a lovely view down one of the streets in Auribeau sur Siagne, in the Cote d’Azur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s the last main canvas here in the studio, and all that is in front of me is Waltz Across Texas and possibly a painting I’ve put off for 2.5 years – one I saw in a moment of clarity right after my Mother passed away in 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m working now on those very difficult sketches of the obvious crowd of beloveds, a host of kachinas (absolutely!) and well-wishers that surrounded her and helped her move on in those last, very powerful yet difficult days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Art is therapy, and we artists are closer to it than most, as we struggle every day to allow inner images, feelings, passion, and struggles, to flow through our hands into the world....whether it’s by written word or through paint, music, dance, photography, sculpture, or any other medium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This image may take a very long time to finally produce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>For me, it’s like very carefully lancing a sore; making sure its healing well and that there is only love behind what is left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-24756846360163717402014-07-02T06:34:00.002-07:002014-07-02T06:34:50.071-07:00COMMISSIONS AND OLD FRIENDS... <br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Well, since my last entry here, plaintively saying, “I need to go home!”,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>things have been moving in that direction steadily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Don’t get me wrong, I need to raise a lot of cash to move home with a clean slate financially, much less just move me, travelling Dancer, and timid Ceilidh (a soon to be travelling cat from Ardnamurchan) home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Artists are continually moving from feast to famine; and the feast times are usually paying off the famine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But that’s NOT what I’m thinking about right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>What I’m thinking about is the rush that as soon as I put it out there that I needed a certain amount to make it home, a large chunk of that was offered to me in the form of either a commission based on, or a major painting from my series, Waltz Across Texas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I always DID want/hope that Waltz Across Texas would generate some commissions, and it seems that it might just be doing that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And THAT is what I want to talk about.... COMMISSIONS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5UO6voANvnk/U7QKGCoLkjI/AAAAAAAAAPo/x3gXOqKknxs/s1600/072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5UO6voANvnk/U7QKGCoLkjI/AAAAAAAAAPo/x3gXOqKknxs/s1600/072.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Floore Country Store, Study&nbsp; 9x 12 in., oil on board, £700.00</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">I LOVE doing them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I love connecting with a client who has a vision, based on work of mine they’ve already seen, and wants me to put that vision into reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I love the research for a commission; getting to know a place/person, being able to take zillions of photos without worrying, sketching and sketching until I know I’ve come up with what I think the client is looking for, and in the case of Waltz Across Texas, painting the studies necessary to make sure that the client and I are on the same page before I ever put paint to canvas in a larger piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I do this for all commissions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It makes it worthwhile for them because they can be pretty sure they’ll love the finished piece; and for me, because I know the finished piece will be what is expected – even though it’s my own vision, really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And, unlike my usual work which is always on spec, it’s paid for....<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There is a relaxation in my life when I’m working and know I’ve got money in the bank for food, supplies, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">So, from the bottom of my heart, I’m saying a huge thank you to the client who has come forward to help me make this move, to give me a focus to work on immediately once I return, and for believing in and trusting me and my work!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-85093959375258929192014-06-15T09:09:00.003-07:002014-06-15T09:09:41.314-07:00GOING HOME... <br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">I’ve been out in the bigger world, outside the home cushion of the USA, for 11 years now; and I have come to realize in the last few weeks, that actually, it’s time to go home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Not because the world has become too big or too difficult – believe me, it might just possibly be MORE difficult to be “home” – but because much as I love my life in Europe, I miss New Mexico, I miss my family, my loved ones, I miss relating to friends on a daily basis who have the same life experience as I. I want to spend time with my Dad while he can still remember me (he has Alzheimer’s). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>It was really brought home to me this past week as I read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></i>I had tears in my eyes many times as through the pages of that incredible book, I relived times that had been my own experience, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">HOME!&nbsp;</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;I&nbsp;</span> am painting intensely in my 16<sup>th</sup>century Braeton house for the summer, listening to music that reminds me of home, and planning just how I’m going to achieve this huge shift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Once again, it’s time to leap off a cliff – one equally as big as the one I leapt off of when I moved to Scotland!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I have to raise a large sum of cash to achieve this as soon as I possibly can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I have to move my horse, my cat, some paintings (some will stay in Scotland or France because let’s face it, I have a global business!!), a few boxes of books and the family mementos and photos that made life away from them easier to bear (my Navajo rugs, Apache baskets, pueblo pottery, my Mother’s apron, and my childhood panda bear).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">In the meantime, I intend to keep painting furiously; to make the best of this time I have in France; to explore a bit more as I get ahead of the financial game just a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Leaping off cliffs into the unknown to make my art sing is part and parcel of living as a full-time artist for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This leap back home – as soon as my finances will allow – is another big step forward and will, I hope, make it easier for me once again to travel the world to paint, to find new and better markets for my work, and to maintain those markets I have worked so hard to create in Scotland, England and the rest of Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Made possible, I know, by making a stable place for me to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And with all this change, there will still be the terrible wrench of leaving my friends and family in Scotland (I know, I know, I’ve already left, but not really.... not until the last box goes, and the cat is back with me and Dancer in our new home).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">When I first began this blog about the adventures of being a full-time artist in this difficult world of 9-5 jobs and consumerism, hard times for living without a tough outer skin, I’d not realized how much of the inner journey I’d feel the need to write about!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But the inner journey of an artist is actually MORE important (to me anyway) than the outer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In the meantime, enjoy a few more images from my incredibly productive summer!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_LPLotpxfMk/U53EdyTmz-I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/XQw8iz3mioQ/s1600/Old+Nice;+like+a+ripe+melon...+14+x+11+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A31,000..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_LPLotpxfMk/U53EdyTmz-I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/XQw8iz3mioQ/s1600/Old+Nice;+like+a+ripe+melon...+14+x+11+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A31,000..JPG" height="320" width="243" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Old Nice, Like a ripe melon... 14 x 11 in., oil on board, £1,000.00</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aF4yiFzaEXw/U53EysMdgtI/AAAAAAAAAPY/F1U1BjrZcJA/s1600/Thunderstorm+over+olive+groves,+Le+Castellet,+16+x+24+in.,+oil+on+canvas,+%C2%A32,000.00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aF4yiFzaEXw/U53EysMdgtI/AAAAAAAAAPY/F1U1BjrZcJA/s1600/Thunderstorm+over+olive+groves,+Le+Castellet,+16+x+24+in.,+oil+on+canvas,+%C2%A32,000.00.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thunderstorm approaching olive groves, Le Castellet, 16 x 24 in., oil on canvas, £2,000.00</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">&nbsp;</span></span></div>Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-87288378120340291432014-06-05T08:24:00.001-07:002014-06-05T08:24:36.452-07:00INSPIRATION and other things... <br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DWB4BufKj-Q/U5CLKMziIkI/AAAAAAAAAPA/VIsREHYUj8c/s1600/St.+Agnes,+Alps+Maritime+Cote+d'Azur,+12+x+16+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A31,250.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DWB4BufKj-Q/U5CLKMziIkI/AAAAAAAAAPA/VIsREHYUj8c/s1600/St.+Agnes,+Alps+Maritime+Cote+d'Azur,+12+x+16+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A31,250.00.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: xx-small;">St. Agnes, Provence-Alps-Cote d'Azur, 12 x 16 in., oil on board, £1,250.00</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: xx-small;"></span>&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>It’s already June!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Where has the time gone!?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’ve been struggling lately with my choices, I’ve also been driven to keep painting; it’s an interesting conundrum!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m living in a gentle, rolling paradise, in a 16<sup>th</sup> Century Bretton house – every artist’s dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But, the landscape doesn’t inspire me – it doesn’t get in my way either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And, I knew when I moved here for 5 months that I WASN’T inspired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I knew it wouldn’t get in my way either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And, it hasn’t!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But what has stymied me more than anything is the IDEA that I’m not inspired by my very environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I paint from my photos and sketches of other places – mostly from my journeys to the South of France, or back to Scotland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">I’ve just finished a lovely little piece from Le Pouldu, a coastal town south of here, just to prove this wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I CAN be inspired, but I’ve got to travel to get to it, rather than stepping out my door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>As I look at my photos from my journeys , I realize that I literally was able to step out my door and feel inspired – I often am inspired by the view from Le Rouret, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>across the city covered plains to the ocean in the distance,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>or out the door in Glenfinnan<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>across the fields and eternal mists and rain to the hills, and feel inspired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yet here, in this gentle place, I am not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I am grateful because my beloved old mare, Dancer, has settled in nicely, so the distraction and worry of my “little sister’s” difficult transition from Glenfinnan to France has gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>However, I’m now able to focus on what is working for me and what is not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BRJCI39E5Fc/U5CJx0Od6_I/AAAAAAAAAOs/X5pG1UXMFv4/s1600/Le+Pouldu,+Brittany,+11+x+14+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A31,000.00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BRJCI39E5Fc/U5CJx0Od6_I/AAAAAAAAAOs/X5pG1UXMFv4/s1600/Le+Pouldu,+Brittany,+11+x+14+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A31,000.00.JPG" height="249" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: xx-small;">Le Pouldu, Brittany, 11 x 14 in., oil on board, £1,000.00</span></div><br /> <br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">It’s never easy for an artist, to live with uncertainty; yet, it’s part and parcel of our very lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I had imagined being able to travel across and explore France during my time here; and I’m not able to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I have to scramble so very hard just to keep food on my table, and petrol in my car that any thoughts of exploring further – to the Perigord (one of my dreams to see the caves at Lascaux – rather the duplicates since people are no longer able to go inside in order to protect them), a mere 4 hour drive from here; to explore other parts of the Southern French coasts, and on down to the Cote d’Azur to the rugged hills above Nice and Menton, to again live in and capture the famous Provencal light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I am painting that light, but from my photos, from my sketches, from my memory, and at the moment under the influence of an energy saving, daylight (really???) bulb, because the best light comes into the studio in the evening, and my best work happens in the morning....<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Always, always, there is the need to adjust, to work with what is in front of me!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6nnS6uwrWtk/U5CKWznG6GI/AAAAAAAAAO0/KFih_0BtffY/s1600/Auribeau+sur+Siagne,+11+x+14+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A31,000.00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6nnS6uwrWtk/U5CKWznG6GI/AAAAAAAAAO0/KFih_0BtffY/s1600/Auribeau+sur+Siagne,+11+x+14+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A31,000.00.JPG" height="249" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: xx-small;">Auribeau sur Siagne, 11 x 14 in., oil on board, £1,000.00</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">I’ve more exploring to do though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I hear there are beautiful rose colored rocks just an hour north of here (though not the deep red of the Corniche), and I’m saving my pennies (now THAT’S a euphemism!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Saving – I have to just make the decision to fill the tank and not pay something else, or pay a card, and use that just paid balance to fill the tank, etc., etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This is the OTHER side of a very blessed and romantic life as a painter!!), and will make the journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Red rocks – visions of my desert home return to me, making me more homesick than ever, but inspiring nonetheless, as they meet the blue ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div></div></div></div>Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-58268700709728386522014-05-16T08:14:00.001-07:002014-05-16T08:14:41.294-07:00Time for Inner Quiet <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aQBaHctzBMc/U3Ypkk1NJSI/AAAAAAAAAOM/mDjavuiM9-U/s1600/St.+Agnes,+Alps+Maritime+Cote+d'Azur,+12+x+16+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A31,250.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aQBaHctzBMc/U3Ypkk1NJSI/AAAAAAAAAOM/mDjavuiM9-U/s1600/St.+Agnes,+Alps+Maritime+Cote+d'Azur,+12+x+16+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A31,250.00.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: xx-small;">St. Agnes, Alps Maritime Cote d'Azur&nbsp; 12 x 16 in. oil on board, £1,250</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-es3rNEKKDsg/U3Yp69ao9cI/AAAAAAAAAOY/5mvf2diPhBo/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-es3rNEKKDsg/U3Yp69ao9cI/AAAAAAAAAOY/5mvf2diPhBo/s1600/026.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sketch, St Cezaire sur Siagne,&nbsp; pencil on paper, approx. 11 x 16 in., £200.00</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xggvGBnfuS0/U3Yp6bsiYgI/AAAAAAAAAOU/lO3Ab8AdYDQ/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xggvGBnfuS0/U3Yp6bsiYgI/AAAAAAAAAOU/lO3Ab8AdYDQ/s1600/039.JPG" height="320" width="217" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">sketch, Bergemon, pencil on paper, approx. 8 x 6 in., £100.00</span>﻿</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">I am writing this on the back side of a period of quiet, after an intense period of work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I don’t know about other artists, but THIS one needs time of quiet between projects, after time of intense creativity, or worry, or just about anything requiring a modicum of focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I don’t acknowledge weekends; I tend to work when I can, regardless the day, because I feel inside my deepest, darkest place that if I stop, I’ll never be able to start again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>(This much, I know other artists’ suffer from!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Utter nonsense, I know, but there it is!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Just as I need to work whenever the muse strikes, no matter what’s going on outside the studio, I also need to pay attention and NOT work when my inner artist says, “enough!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I call it my “inward” time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I read a book, for hours, or watch movie after movie, or even sometimes just sit in the sun, absorbing the warmth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>(To be honest, those days have been few and far between these past 10 years in Glenfinnan....so to absorb ANY sun is to be treasured!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The point is to completely detach – from everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The only souls who claim my attention then are my cat, Ceilidh, and my horse, Dancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’d include my partner in that, if I weren’t single!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Friends, of course, but they distract me from the detachment and take me into the world many times – which is what my detach time is asking to hide from. Sometimes I don’t even want to have a coffee with someone other than my book or movie! Make any sense??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And those of you who love me, I KNOW will understand this and not take offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I AM a gregarious introvert (a descriptive phrase so aptly coined by a very dear friend who is very much like me), with a distinct need to take care of that introvert sometimes.....<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">What does this mean in the studio?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Well....it means that whatever is on the easel has to sit and wait for me to pick up the brushes again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It means that sometimes my brushes sit in turpentine for a few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It means that I’m not good at answering emails, don’t want to look at my bank statements, or have ANYTHING to do with the world for at least a day or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>If I’m lucky, that’s as long as it lasts, and I get tired of inactivity and sloth and pick up the brushes, the balls, look at my email, and right now, go out and weed a section of my garden.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">I must be coming out of my sloth now because I’m writing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So, more paintings on the way (two on easels for 2 days now), sketches to do and show, people to contact, etc., etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Still focus is on the South of France, but there is focus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; The painting above was finished just before my little break; and the sketches are what is currently on the easel.&nbsp; More sketches to publish, but I want to start the work!!&nbsp; </span></span></div>Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-47073390259176941542014-04-26T09:17:00.002-07:002014-04-26T09:17:16.334-07:00PAINTING IN LEZELE or THE ETERNAL SEARCH FOR GOOD WIFI (or "now, to find the bl...y post office") <br /> <br /><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">I’ve just finished two paintings – the first in 6 months!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Interestingly, while the little piece is of a Mill less than a mile from my studio, and I’ve spent time sketching it, looking at it, and lusting after its open space and windows, I the bigger painting by far – thus most important? Not really – is the one I’ve done of Loch Shiel, looking north to the Glenfinnan viaduct and Glenfinnan Estate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I looked at that view three times a week on my run, and FINALLY got it finished!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I thought you’d like to see the process, just a bit....<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Sketch, interim painting – as yet unfinished -,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>and the finished product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Part of the distraction of this past 10 days or so, when I finally started working, has been errands – those things that keep taking time.... and the last was finding a post office in which to post two letters I’ve put off posting purely because of the hassle of finding and dealing with in French, the local post office!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So, perhaps we’re in a period of no longer putting off what can be done today!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>Dancer presents the ever present distraction and much needed anchor that she has always presented....perhaps her tales from this period should have their own page...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The latest was magnesium deficiency, which manifested in her in neurotic, needy, panic’d behaviour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Sorted, but not before we made ourselves a little unpopular in our local barn....Whew!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Poor thing!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Its good to be up to my elbows and eyebrows in oil paint once again; music of all types blaring on the stereo – helping me feel the places I’ve either taken photos or sketched, or both....<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m still very much all over the place in my interest....<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>but I’m finding that ever so elusive focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MLlZJxVV4Qo/U1vbBNrzmDI/AAAAAAAAANs/8M7583zCWwk/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MLlZJxVV4Qo/U1vbBNrzmDI/AAAAAAAAANs/8M7583zCWwk/s1600/025.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">midway on the Loch Shiel painting... the sketch is in the last post!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bAaoVjTlgU4/U1vbD-jO5VI/AAAAAAAAAN0/ApfxyHWkjYE/s1600/Early+Autumn,+Loch+Shiel++12+x+16+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A31,250..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bAaoVjTlgU4/U1vbD-jO5VI/AAAAAAAAAN0/ApfxyHWkjYE/s1600/Early+Autumn,+Loch+Shiel++12+x+16+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A31,250..jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Early Autumn, Loch Shiel&nbsp; 12 x 16 in., oil on board, £1,250.00</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cuFWcvbow2E/U1vbD8pMIuI/AAAAAAAAAN4/0so-RyxMRbE/s1600/Mill+at+Pont+Morvan,+Brittany++8+x+10+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A3700.00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cuFWcvbow2E/U1vbD8pMIuI/AAAAAAAAAN4/0so-RyxMRbE/s1600/Mill+at+Pont+Morvan,+Brittany++8+x+10+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A3700.00.JPG" height="250" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mill at Pont Morvan, Brittany,&nbsp; 6 x 8 in.,&nbsp; oil on board, £700.00</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div><h2> </h2>Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-23425297678040337442014-04-24T07:56:00.000-07:002014-04-24T07:56:08.401-07:00Finding My Rhythm <br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">I have now settled into my temporary residence in a mostly 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Century Braeton house, courtesy of the generosity of a friend. The plan is to stay here, use it as a base to explore from (should a painting or two sell), and paint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>If you’re trying to find it, Lézélé en Plouyé, Huelgoat, Brittany is west of Carhaix....set in the middle of the finger that is Brittany and on the edge of the Finistere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>After spending hours every day working with my beloved mare, Dancer, helping her feel secure (still an ongoing process these days) and settled in HER new home, this past week, I began to paint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">After a 6 month hiatus, the sense of relief was palpable, when I got out the oil paints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Coaxing the tops off of disused tubes of paint, the jar of liquin, and finding my turps substitute (legal to take on a car ferry...) was nearly a religious experience for me on the first day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yet the two paintings I started have come along slowly as I picked my way through the image, trying to work with different light, an image across the room (electrical outlets being a challenge here), etc., etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">I first found myself sketching not Brittany, once I’d found the image I wanted of the local disused mill, at Pont Morvan; but Scotland and my beloved Glenfinnan, and also,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>the beaches of Normandy and even more so, the markets and landscapes of the Cote d’Azur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I also found myself suddenly aware that the sketches themselves might be, must be interesting to clients!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I had to tell myself not to be silly, to ignore that voice, because as soon as I paid attention to it (that voice), my sketches became stilted and awkward and DEFINITELY less loose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Lots of laughter ensued; thankfully, I managed to quell the critic fairly rapidly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The sketches are for ME and my work, and if a few of them get into the larger world, then fabulous – but not the other way around!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">Some of the effort of the last few weeks, and continues in this completely new (to me) place, has gone to sourcing materials, solving problems, finding the market, necessary things for my horse, my painting, my sanity!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s nice to be able to run to a market and back in 20 minutes (!!), but the other side of that is that I’m finding that I’m more isolated here than I ever was in Glenfinnan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s harder to get out into the world here<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>- Even to the rest of France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Brittany is just that isolated in its little peninsula world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So, a hard realization has been that my beloved cat, Ceilidh is best left with her next best friend, my neighbour, until I am able to move to a less transient home (I miss her terribly!); and that at the moment, any spare cash is necessarily used on exploring my new world, to find my rhythm, to see if this part of France ‘fits’ me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">I’m now alone in the house for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Not alone as in “going to the market”, but on my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>To fill my day however suits me, to not share conversation with someone over dinner one or the other of us has cooked, to not say goodnight to anyone. I like that part of life! In fact, I’m realizing that this is the first time since I left my studio at the Steading in Glenfinnan that I’m truly alone in the biggest sense of the word!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And this timing here now, is pretty much when I thought I’d be ready to leave that studio for the larger world!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Whew!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>What a journey! My own devices, bar the very welcome interruptions of new friends or visiting loved ones, completely – answering to no-one!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Rhythm indeed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Californian FB&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;"><o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVuyH-hbgLo/U1kkMTGW_gI/AAAAAAAAANQ/fxWVcwP9GvQ/s1600/001+Vuellettes+sur+Mer+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVuyH-hbgLo/U1kkMTGW_gI/AAAAAAAAANQ/fxWVcwP9GvQ/s1600/001+Vuellettes+sur+Mer+cropped.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Vuellettes sur Mer, sketch 2, charcoal on paper, 6 x 8 in., £100</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bdjeasCRg2g/U1kkMYxvyZI/AAAAAAAAANI/6yNe5NbV26M/s1600/002+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bdjeasCRg2g/U1kkMYxvyZI/AAAAAAAAANI/6yNe5NbV26M/s1600/002+cropped.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Vuellettes Sur Mer, sketch, charcoal on paper, 6 x 8 in., £100</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9czGoS1Mb_U/U1kkLXLERLI/AAAAAAAAANE/UxDcMIPFbjg/s1600/004+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9czGoS1Mb_U/U1kkLXLERLI/AAAAAAAAANE/UxDcMIPFbjg/s1600/004+cropped.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">&nbsp;Mill at&nbsp; Pont Morven 2, Sketch in Pencil for painting, 6</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: xx-small;">x 8 in., pencil on paper&nbsp; £100.</span></div></o:p></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zcY4_MfVqTo/U1kkOsDBSDI/AAAAAAAAANg/Cfv_xq2ewNE/s1600/020+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zcY4_MfVqTo/U1kkOsDBSDI/AAAAAAAAANg/Cfv_xq2ewNE/s1600/020+cropped.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Loch Shiel sketch for painting, charcoal on paper, approx. 11 x 16 in., £200</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span>&nbsp;</div>Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-76381713926958813832014-04-10T09:11:00.001-07:002014-04-10T09:11:58.104-07:00<h2 align="center">From Lezele en Plouye</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kl13iWraoJE/U0K8VkOOGQI/AAAAAAAAAMU/5xWLvXzz8b8/s1600/054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kl13iWraoJE/U0K8VkOOGQI/AAAAAAAAAMU/5xWLvXzz8b8/s1600/054.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">old mill at Pont Morvan</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, I’ve finally made it to Lezele en Plouye, Brittany,&nbsp;France!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m finally ensconsed in my ancient/new, temporary abode where I hope to find inspiration and be able to paint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>If not the surrounding scenery, then other places within Brittany, while I explore; or further south, where I KNOW I feel the inspiration!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Getting here wasn’t easy....and has taken all I had in reserve,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>as hidden expenses, unforeseen problems, and just<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>time got in the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m here now, and am already itching to get settled enough to begin to paint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I have been reunited with my beloved mare, Dancer, after nearly 6 months, and am now exploring creative ways to get my cat, Ceilidh here with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Incredibly, I had an easy drive, once I saw Dancer (who was in Wales temporarily), and headed on to Folkestone to catch the Eurotunnel in my car (no ferry this stormy time....) I found myself in the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>beautiful, big skies of Normandy, and landed with a dear friend I’d not seen in years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She generously made her little gite available for my first week in France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The perfect place for me to settle, get my bearings, and get my head around this huge leap I’ve taken in my life – if even for 6 months!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>As you might guess, I got out into the sun each day and explored more of the Normandy coast around LeBourg Dun – returned to Sottieville for more photos and sketching, and Vuelettes<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>sur Mer, which is like a mini Etretat (just a bit further West along the coast, unsurprisingly!) .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This part of France has always inspired me, and I’m not surprised to be beginning there with my sketching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p>&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I then landed with new friends at Kervalen Organic Farm (</span><a href="http://www.kervelenorganicholidays.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.kervelenorganicholidays.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">) , in Kervalen, by Plouye (just a mile up the road from Lezele), where I waited for Dancer to arrive a day later!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A week there settling my very patient horse, then moved to Lezele, where I will spend the next 5/6 months, while I explore this new world!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So far, its been rolling hills, sunlight, riding, and finally, a bit of inspiration at an old mill, still fairly intact – although the mill works have been removed and stored in a barn...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A nice gentle beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p>&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m actively marketing my sketches now, as a way of raising a bit of cash to keep me afloat in between painting sales. It IS a way for people who can’t afford the oil paintings, to have a Wendorf – and many love the immediacy of a quick sketch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>And to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>add to the mix, I’ve met with a Scottish neighbour (yep, in France, I’ve got a Scottish neighbour... ), and he’s asked if I’d be interested in a little summer exhibition with himself and a few other local artists in a wonderful space in Huelgoat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I said unequivably, “Yes!!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>At least a chance to get my work out!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In the meantime, I’m also putting one foot in front of the other, as I spoke about before, leaving no stone unturned, looking for ways to make up for the loss of “potential income” of those two cancelled summer exhibitions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p>&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But what I really need is to find my focus, my rhythm – which seems a bit hard won at the moment, with so much on my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I need to find that quiet place inside me that sees and hears the need to paint something; that understands, trusts, and knows that all will be ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’d not have had all the help to get here if I was going to fail!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I saw on Facebook the other day a quote from Georgia O’Keefe, who basically said she never had a day where she didn’t have to face fear in her artistic life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I suddenly felt in grand company, normal, not so alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p>&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m ending this missive, by posting a few of the new sketches – note, I’m a bit homesick for Scotland as well as New Mexico, thus two large Scottish sketches....if that isn’t a muddle, I don’t know what is!!</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">&nbsp;</span></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjlxmGedZVg/U0bBf2kSmtI/AAAAAAAAAMo/7gU0k7XooaY/s1600/Loch+Shiel+sketch,+autumn+2013,+approx+11+x+16+in.,+charcoal+on+paper,+%C2%A3200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjlxmGedZVg/U0bBf2kSmtI/AAAAAAAAAMo/7gU0k7XooaY/s1600/Loch+Shiel+sketch,+autumn+2013,+approx+11+x+16+in.,+charcoal+on+paper,+%C2%A3200.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Loch Shiel scketch, autumn 2013,&nbsp; approx. 11 x 16 in., charcoal on paper £200</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuuE6NoclLs/U0bBflqvCeI/AAAAAAAAAMs/3LoeymdkPmY/s1600/Mill+at+Pont+Morvan,+sketch,+approx+6+x+8+in.,+charcoal+on+paper,+%C2%A3100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuuE6NoclLs/U0bBflqvCeI/AAAAAAAAAMs/3LoeymdkPmY/s1600/Mill+at+Pont+Morvan,+sketch,+approx+6+x+8+in.,+charcoal+on+paper,+%C2%A3100.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a>&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mill at Pont Morvan, sketch&nbsp; approx. 6 x 8 in., charcoal on paper £100</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u_hWpQS9pIo/U0bBfq_mVEI/AAAAAAAAAMk/w6prkXLkY4c/s1600/Sottieville+sketch+spring+2014,+approx+6+x+8+in.,+charcoal+on+paper,+%C2%A3100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u_hWpQS9pIo/U0bBfq_mVEI/AAAAAAAAAMk/w6prkXLkY4c/s1600/Sottieville+sketch+spring+2014,+approx+6+x+8+in.,+charcoal+on+paper,+%C2%A3100.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></span></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sottieville sketch, spring 2014,&nbsp; approx. 6 x 8 in., charcoal on paper £100</span></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;"></span></o:p>&nbsp;</div><div align="center">﻿</div>Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-31619825037292183352014-03-25T01:46:00.000-07:002014-03-25T01:46:41.866-07:00the Business of Being an Artist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-icvz8U45a_A/UzFANzKKyvI/AAAAAAAAAME/Ck0C7GUYt9g/s1600/Etretat+Spring,+9+x+12+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A3700.00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-icvz8U45a_A/UzFANzKKyvI/AAAAAAAAAME/Ck0C7GUYt9g/s1600/Etretat+Spring,+9+x+12+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A3700.00.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Etretat Spring, 9 x 12 in., oil on board, £700</span></div><div align="center">﻿</div><br />As I write from a small Normandy village not far from Etretat, I'm reminded that in spite of the stress and fear associated with living constantly on a financial edge,&nbsp;I live quite a charmed life.... traveling, answering to no-one, not having to get up early, drive horrible commutes, etc., etc.&nbsp; But there are paybacks to this charmed life.&nbsp; There is the constant knowledge that at any one moment, your fortunes could change, you might not pay your rent, your loan payment, your food bill; your carefully laid plans for exhibitions and sales might evaporate into thin air, and through no fault of your own.&nbsp; Yes, I lead a charmed life and answer to no-one, but I also live my life by the generosity, support and good will of others.&nbsp; Without their patronage, whether it be a gift of a house to live in for awhile, or the sale of a painting or planned exhibitions, I would have to return to the world of punching a time-clock.&nbsp; <br /><br />What does an artist do when plans change, when other peoples lives and difficulties create their own changes and difficulties in your own?&nbsp; (And I'm NOT drawing those obvious lines, because these are the chances I took on when I began to paint full-time).&nbsp; What do I do?&nbsp; Well, I keep working, and talking, and selling and FIND the next exhibition; try to fill that space that has been emptied, with a few sales to make up for the inevitable lost revenue, and keep planning ahead.&nbsp; Most dealers and artists plan exhibitions a year or two, even three, in advance.&nbsp; So immediately filling a space in 6 months is a tall order, but not impossible.&nbsp; Cancellations happen, schedules open up.&nbsp; And more importantly, its an opportunity to find new clients, patrons, and new exhibitions.&nbsp; <br /><br />I have unfortunately had two scheduled exhibitions cancelled this summer - in two different countries.&nbsp; And BOTH were incredible opportunities!&nbsp; One is postponed, but the other just gone.&nbsp; In addition to changing countries - and all that entails - I'm now looking to fill those two voids, with either exhibitions or new clients.&nbsp; I guess I'm&nbsp;reminding&nbsp;myself&nbsp;that being an artist means more than just the painting (or music, or writing, or sculpting) -- the act of creating.&nbsp; It is also the nitty gritty down to earth need to get out there, hussle and talk and meet people when you don't feel like it.&nbsp; Take a few days or weeks&nbsp;to assess and regroup, and let solutions come to the fore; and above all, don't spend time complaining about the injustice of it all.&nbsp;We artists lead charmed lives, and there is also work involved that means sometimes being a little tougher.&nbsp;There is no room for fear, so when it haunts you, turn and face it&nbsp;down, never let it keep you from moving forward. No matter how hesitant those new steps feel,&nbsp;keep putting your feet one in front of the other, keep peering through and trying new doors, and keep the work happening.&nbsp; NEVER, never, never give up!&nbsp; <br /><br />I've been fortunate to be staying with a friend who over the years has never hesitated to remind me to get up, dust myself off, and that I have NO reason to fear, to never forget what an incredible life is possible as an artist, and I am incredibly grateful, as always.<br /><br />Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-53637107467184664192014-03-23T02:39:00.001-07:002014-03-23T02:39:53.490-07:00In France, Finally....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aw1M88PSM8c/UylZ24oE2KI/AAAAAAAAALo/moXEcSKIZ5I/s1600/Dieppe+Harbor++14x11+in.++%C2%A31,000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aw1M88PSM8c/UylZ24oE2KI/AAAAAAAAALo/moXEcSKIZ5I/s1600/Dieppe+Harbor++14x11+in.++%C2%A31,000.jpg" height="320" width="245" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Dieppe Harbor, 14 x 11 in., oil on board, £1,000.00</span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;">﻿</div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;">﻿</div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;">﻿</div><div style="text-align: center;">﻿</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRrY2d4XxsI/UylaDd12EaI/AAAAAAAAALw/oCoYpCTv48c/s1600/Grand+Mare,+Sottieville+(pleinaire),+8+x+10+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A3700.00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRrY2d4XxsI/UylaDd12EaI/AAAAAAAAALw/oCoYpCTv48c/s1600/Grand+Mare,+Sottieville+(pleinaire),+8+x+10+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A3700.00.JPG" height="254" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Grand Mare, Sottieville, Normandy&nbsp; (pleinaire) 8 x 10 in., oil on board, £700.00</span></div><br />I'm writing today from a small village not far from the coast of Normandy.&nbsp; In fact, the two paintings above are images from the part of France I'm currently passing through.... the top painting is one I did several years ago of the harbour at Dieppe, the lower one is a pleinaire painting&nbsp; I did during the Grand Mare in Sottieville.&nbsp; I can feel the stress of starting this move begin to melt away as I sit in a Normandy farm house, watching the weather come and go, and thinking of doing no more than going for a walk (no, not even a run).&nbsp; I can feel the hope and excitement begin to fill my heart, as I consider the next 6 months.... nothing to do but explore, paint, do the business of being a painter (ie exhibit and sell those paintings) and enjoy my horse for the first time in four months!&nbsp; I want to get my brushes out, am itching to get to work!&nbsp; Not time for THAT&nbsp;yet, but I will set out with the camera and sketchbook today!&nbsp; <br /><br />Change is difficult for everyone, and some artists absolutely can't handle it; but this artist seems to thrive on new inspiration.&nbsp; This change has been hard won, but I believe truly that it will prove to be another momentous shift in my work.&nbsp; Even the hiatus from painting since late October 2013 will, I think, prove to help my paintings leap forward!&nbsp; Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-77542354462107667772014-02-28T05:05:00.001-08:002014-02-28T05:05:42.279-08:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: Times, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: large;">more tales from the Hotel California</span></strong></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Times;">Or perhaps, further adventures in checking out for Gail, Dancer and Ceilidh.&nbsp; Its an adventure trying to change countries, and not for the faint hearted!&nbsp; Dancer is currently out of the Welsh rain in a paid stable, awaiting a ride to France, Ceilidh has her passport and will follow once I settle into the house, and me, I'm healing my cracked rib, and trying to settle the 'tab' in the Hotel California so we can all leave!&nbsp; Glenfinnan feels good right now.&nbsp; It is my trusty cave in the Highlands while I work life out.&nbsp; Thanks again to the kindness of friends, this time in Scotland is soft, perfect.&nbsp; The hooks are sinking deeper every day.&nbsp; </span></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Times;">However, challenges aside, I AM getting excited!&nbsp; I've no idea where I'll start, painting - wise!&nbsp; But this change for me and my little family has been hard won, and much needed.&nbsp; By the time I can pick up the brushes, I've a feeling it'll be when I finally arrive and settle into Lezele.&nbsp; My days are spent preparing myself and my painting supplies for 6 months of focused work.&nbsp; I've begun to run again, to rebuild my strength in preparation for the next 6 months.&nbsp; Its a slow process, the cracked rib gives me a bit of grief, but not so much that I feel I need to slow down.&nbsp; Its so strange to me here, to write about mundane things....but I can't even THINK about picking up a brush right now.&nbsp; I can only focus on breathing in and out and keeping my eye on the horizon and one foot in front of the other, and ear to my inner voice that tells me to "trust, its going to work out beautifully..."&nbsp; I leave you with a favourite image of mine...&nbsp; Autumn on the Muidhe, 16 x 24 in., oil on canvas, £2,000.&nbsp; </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Times;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pngMMHbPx5U/UxCJQ8peHwI/AAAAAAAAALY/XQQ91AwX3Oo/s1600/Autumn+Days+on+the+Mhuidhe,+16+x+24+in.,+oil+on+canvas,+%C2%A32,000.00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pngMMHbPx5U/UxCJQ8peHwI/AAAAAAAAALY/XQQ91AwX3Oo/s1600/Autumn+Days+on+the+Mhuidhe,+16+x+24+in.,+oil+on+canvas,+%C2%A32,000.00.JPG" height="210" width="320" /></a></div></span><span style="font-family: Times;"></span>﻿</div>Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-13703415778778203052014-02-18T06:33:00.000-08:002014-02-18T06:33:10.637-08:00<h2 align="center">CHANGE!!</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CM13CKhE_y0/UwNso0Y2bFI/AAAAAAAAALA/6c8cKLhfmpY/s1600/467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CM13CKhE_y0/UwNso0Y2bFI/AAAAAAAAALA/6c8cKLhfmpY/s1600/467.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CnxhaJJF1ZE/UwNtGFVupYI/AAAAAAAAALI/_vg7fQZ5edY/s1600/469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CnxhaJJF1ZE/UwNtGFVupYI/AAAAAAAAALI/_vg7fQZ5edY/s1600/469.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><h2 align="center">&nbsp;</h2><div style="text-align: left;">A dear friend said to me, when I gave an account of some of my travel tales from the past three months, that I should at the very least be a blues player.&nbsp; That like all blues players, my best work should come of the incredible adventures and challenges of the journey.&nbsp; I hope he's right!&nbsp; I've not picked up a brush since late October when the arrangements of this trip took control of my life!&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">On November 15, Dancer (my very forgiving and patient horse and companion of 24 of her 26 years) and I set off for Trecastle, Wales, where she would spend the next three + months in the loving care of dear friends who know horses and had offered to take her so I could leave for an extended trip!&nbsp; I can't tell you the number of times in my life lately that I have been humbled and offered help from friends&nbsp;unexpectedly, and its made it possible for me to keep moving forward through this lengthy time of transition!&nbsp; But I digress.....&nbsp; Dancer and I arrived late that night, and I had one day to settle her (NOT recommended, and I knew better, but circumstances demanded it).&nbsp; I left for London 24 hours later, and on to the USA the following afternoon.&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">Long story made shorter, after several months travelling, visiting, feeling supported by and loved by family and friends, I returned to the UK and quickly took a ferry over to Basse Normandy and Brittany to investigate leads on my next place to explore living and working.&nbsp; After days of looking around Normandy, and waiting - knowing that none of the places I'd seen were going to work for me and my little 'family'; I headed to check out a friend's cottage in Lezele (by Plouye).&nbsp; Zing!&nbsp; This place is a beautifully&nbsp;restored 16th century Braeton house (or 3 cottages cobbled together), in a very small, quiet village in nearly the center of Brittany - not far from Huelgoat or Carhaix. I've been offered this place in beautiful Brittany for 5 months from mid-April ish, taking care of this house.&nbsp;There is a place for Dancer&nbsp;with other horses a mile away, and Ceilidh the cat is also welcome with me. &nbsp;Its a small step; to try on living in France, without the big commitment of moving Dancer to the south of France before I've had time to make sure its what I want or need to do!&nbsp; And, since I've decided to take this offer, things have begun to fall into place.&nbsp; At least there is the illusion that they're falling into place!&nbsp;I also feel I have EARNED every bit certainty after the adventures of not only the last 3 months, but the last year.</div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">Brittany is hilly and more forested than Normandy and yet I'm&nbsp;fairly close to the beaches and cliffs that I've painted there in the past!&nbsp; AND, I'll have the opportunity to explore more into the South of France, and possibly other&nbsp;locations for painting.&nbsp; After months of fear, I'm beginning to feel excitement!&nbsp; Even that isn't without its fear though....&nbsp; change is hard - even if the change is needed.&nbsp; I now have Ceilidh's passport, and am working on getting Dancer moved from Wales; and in the meantime, am nursing a cracked rib which I earned by slipping on the door stoop of the Lezele house.&nbsp; And now that I have my computer and broadband back again, hopefully there will be more to say as I take these seemingly huge steps in the next few weeks!</div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">In the meantime, from Glenfinnan, stay tuned!!</div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;﻿</div>Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-86236099401087600802013-12-07T15:39:00.002-08:002013-12-07T15:39:31.628-08:00SKETCHES AND PAINTINGS<br /><br />I started writing this&nbsp;from Dallas, Texas and am now in Arizona; where I'm visiting family and friends, making new friends and clients, and selling the odd painting - always a good thing!<br /><br />I've been on the road since Nov. 15, so there is no focus on painting at the moment, but on marketing and letting the world know I'm still here.&nbsp; After an intense 5 days, suddenly moving into action: time to get my beloved horse down to her holiday farm&nbsp;in Wales (a 14 hour trek for her which she did with great aplomb), with only 24 hours to settle her in, then on to London for a night to get to Heathrow and catch a noon flight out to DFW on the 17th; I landed in Dallas and the bosom of my family .&nbsp; Dad and his wife, Christy live there, and a brother, along with a number of friends - some of which have known me longer than most people.&nbsp; It has been an incredible, action packed, fun-filled, and bittersweet trip.&nbsp; As always, when I come to Dallas, an army of friends and family envelope me, glad to see me, and rise to the challenge of introducing me to new friends who perhaps might also become clients and begin to collect my paintings.&nbsp; For me, first and foremost, I enjoy meeting the people and making new friends.&nbsp; The painting sales are important, but in the end, always secondary and actually, almost unimportant.&nbsp; But this is an important side of being an artist; being in the world, and getting support and love from those who care for and know you, and meeting new people - always, meeting new people....&nbsp; talking about your art and selling it.&nbsp; <br /><br />One memorable thing I've done is to attend an exhibition of Edward Hopper's sketches (and process) at the Dallas Museum of Art.&nbsp; I went with some of my extended family of women (way to complicated for this short missive), and discovered how much more I liked the immediacy of his preliminary sketches as he worked out composition, figures, hands, feet, lighting, and focus before committing paint to canvas.&nbsp; I loved discussing these things with my family as we wandered through the amazing exhibition.&nbsp;&nbsp; They really didn't know that I also did much the same thing (as most painters must do) for any painting.&nbsp; Interestingly, suddenly in the last few months, there has been an interest in my sketches.&nbsp; I produce them only for me, for my eyes, for my work - not for the general public, so it was a scary thing to photograph them and place them in a portfolio of sorts for some new clients - many of them next to the paintings they were for - and put a price on them.&nbsp; I attended another exhibition on the 3rd Dec that also is sketches,&nbsp;thus the process of painting, &nbsp;AND the massive, wonderful portraits in heavily laid on oil paint&nbsp;that depict the artist's family and neighbors in his Ft. Worth neighbourhood.&nbsp; This exhibition of the work of Sedrick Huckaby at the Valley House Gallery in Dallas was inspiring.&nbsp; The artist wonderfully unassuming, younger than his years, but wonderfully able to talk about his work; which is unusual.&nbsp; So many artists find it difficult to speak about their paintings and yet its one of the most important things you can learn outside of the process of creating; the ability to speak about your work.&nbsp; <br /><br />Another incredible memory that perhaps one day will find its way into my painting is dancing with my Dad.....&nbsp; reflecting back to my series Waltz Across Texas, I found myself two-stepping in place&nbsp;with my Dad.&nbsp; Sadly, he's being taken from us slowly by alzheimers, but for now, he's able to communicate with song and dance&nbsp; - my own passions which drive my painting, even the landscapes.&nbsp; In the landscapes I paint, I still feel passion, music, and movement.<br /><br />The images below are a short illustration for you all of the journey from sketch to finished painting.&nbsp; The<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6at_i-x-7rs/UqOj_95dLYI/AAAAAAAAAKA/vyf16BNgGD8/s1600/Les+Ardrets+Olive+Grove,+sketch+for,+11+x+15+approx.,+charcoal+on+paper,+%C2%A3200..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6at_i-x-7rs/UqOj_95dLYI/AAAAAAAAAKA/vyf16BNgGD8/s320/Les+Ardrets+Olive+Grove,+sketch+for,+11+x+15+approx.,+charcoal+on+paper,+%C2%A3200..JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;sketch for Up Through the Olive&nbsp;Grove... approx. 11 x 16 in., charcoal on paper £200 </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OoWQQ47jVfU/UqOpHeUXMzI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/oN15a3jLu1Q/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OoWQQ47jVfU/UqOpHeUXMzI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/oN15a3jLu1Q/s320/009.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;sketch for Sharing A Joke, approx. 11 x 16 in., charcoal on paper £200.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4JUxoVZIQEo/UqOpdeFlEeI/AAAAAAAAAKY/vww--F2rk-k/s1600/Sharing+A+Joke,+ONY+Ceilidh+08+%231+22x18+in.+oil+on+canvas+%C2%A32,000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4JUxoVZIQEo/UqOpdeFlEeI/AAAAAAAAAKY/vww--F2rk-k/s320/Sharing+A+Joke,+ONY+Ceilidh+08+%231+22x18+in.+oil+on+canvas+%C2%A32,000.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Sharing a Joke, 22 x 18 in.,&nbsp; oil on canvas, £2,000.00</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz2cgC24JIU/UqOpnRFOhSI/AAAAAAAAAKg/lf8fzrxb5jY/s1600/Les+Ardrets+Olive+Grove++16+x+24+in.+oil+on+canvas,+sold.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz2cgC24JIU/UqOpnRFOhSI/AAAAAAAAAKg/lf8fzrxb5jY/s320/Les+Ardrets+Olive+Grove++16+x+24+in.+oil+on+canvas,+sold.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Up Through the Olive Groves, 16 x 24 in., oil on canvas, sold...</div>Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-19453774664032413582013-10-31T02:43:00.001-07:002013-10-31T03:39:17.869-07:00Gail Wendorf Studio in the "Hotel California!"<blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">"....Last thing I remember, I was</div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">running for the door, </div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">I had to find the passage back</div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">To the place I was before</div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">"Relax", said the nightman&nbsp;,</div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">We are programed to receive.</div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">You can check out anytime you like,</div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">But you can never leave!""</div></blockquote><br />Many of us will remember these last lines of the Hotel California,&nbsp;by the Eagles.&nbsp; Over this past month, I have come to realize just how apt these lines are in describing how I feel about living out this transition phase of my life.&nbsp; Being an artist, to me, means sometimes embracing the float; waiting and holding on until the next step is under my moving feet.&nbsp; That has been particularly difficult this last month.&nbsp; Continuing to put one foot in front of the next, and trusting that I'm not just walking in circles; each door leading back into the room I just left.&nbsp; And in the middle of it all, keeping something moving on the easel.&nbsp; Its been slow, painful work.&nbsp; But I've managed - and the result is below.&nbsp; I know you'll enjoy this view of St. Agnes, in the Provence Alps Cote d'Azur region of southern France.&nbsp; I was on my way to Fontan, I believed, when turned away by an avalanche (seriously!), and was forced to stay in the area I had originally planned to end up - seeing new friends at a party I'd been invited to - the beautiful village of St. Agnes, in the hills overlooking Menton on the French/Italian border.&nbsp; I spent the day walking in the village, exploring the hills, and just absorbing the spirit and soul of this enchanting part of France.&nbsp; So, here's the first of hopefully many... currently off the easel in the <em>Hotel California (Glenfinnan).</em><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OJmQOkDW_iM/UnIjWs87DgI/AAAAAAAAAJw/u08LoMcafM4/s1600/Old+St.+Agnes,+Provence+Alps+Cote+d'Azur,++16+x+12+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A31,250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OJmQOkDW_iM/UnIjWs87DgI/AAAAAAAAAJw/u08LoMcafM4/s320/Old+St.+Agnes,+Provence+Alps+Cote+d'Azur,++16+x+12+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A31,250.JPG" width="237" /></a></div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Old St. Agnes, Provence Alps Cote d'Azur, 16 x 12 in., oil on board, £1,250.00</span></div></blockquote>On the other side of all this amazing change, is the&nbsp;sad fact that soon&nbsp;I AM leaving my home of 10 years.&nbsp; And it is breaking my heart - Glenfinnan, in fact the Highlands, have been experiencing one of the most gorgeous autumns that I've had the pleasure of&nbsp;experiencing in the last 15 years since I began coming here to paint!&nbsp;I WANT to paint right now, and am forced to&nbsp;wait even for that since I have so much&nbsp;business work to take care of first! &nbsp;What makes I bearable is that I KNOW&nbsp;I'll be coming back....&nbsp;at the very least, to paint and visit&nbsp;my dear friends<em>.....&nbsp;&nbsp;You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave...</em><br />Another place I've had the honor of living in, that has also sunk deep hooks into my back.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><em>&nbsp;</em></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div><em>&nbsp;</em></div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><em>&nbsp;</em></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><em>&nbsp;</em></blockquote><em>&nbsp;</em>Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-62456993985741111662013-10-01T03:17:00.000-07:002013-10-01T03:17:02.471-07:00Focus Amid DistractionsHello again from (at this point) sunny Glenfinnan! We've had 7 days of inspirational sun, warmth, and autumn light and color. The biggest choice these days is between going out into the sun and basking in the warmth of it, or utilizing the light in my studio and painting without the aid of artificial light! I've done both actually. But this last month has been so full of distractions (and believe me, right now, I am EASILY distracted!), that while I'm working at the easel, its with long periods of space between. Just in the last two weeks, I have put together three painting or sales proposals, always welcome, but so nervewracking while I wait for answers; and also managed to complete one more painting from my Iona trip, as well as start on another French landscape. No, I'm afraid I've not started on the work from Glenaladale - again, I put it up to distractions.... Those pesky every day problems of paying bills, finding the cash to do so, and waiting while excited clients make up their minds about just what they want, if they want, to buy, nursing my aged horse through a fetlock (ankle) sprain. I'm finding that the focus is there, but is taking a lot of sitting quietly, and remembering to breathe and wait for the ability to stand and paint again. This month has been about hearing and understanding that need to WAIT, and yet prepare. And in the meantime, to keep on painting.... through the upheaval and transition. So enjoy what I've done! One of an Iona Sheep Farmer, and another of North Beach Iona (one of my favourite places to be!). <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8zPhMuhB2zc/UkqgAa7xlKI/AAAAAAAAAJM/Bg-6S-ZzJmQ/s1600/Iona+sheep+farmer,+9+x+12+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A3700.00.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8zPhMuhB2zc/UkqgAa7xlKI/AAAAAAAAAJM/Bg-6S-ZzJmQ/s320/Iona+sheep+farmer,+9+x+12+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A3700.00.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_GLwnrqmCU/UkqgSPzcL9I/AAAAAAAAAJU/woYNnwHcjvc/s1600/Rocks+and+white+sands,+North+Beach+Iona,+11+x+14+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A31,000..JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_GLwnrqmCU/UkqgSPzcL9I/AAAAAAAAAJU/woYNnwHcjvc/s320/Rocks+and+white+sands,+North+Beach+Iona,+11+x+14+in.,+oil+on+board,+%C2%A31,000..JPG" /></a>Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-87243876175180091722013-08-27T04:34:00.000-07:002013-08-27T04:36:51.944-07:00Glenfinnan, still... with interruptionsHello again, As I write, I'm still hanging in the studio in Glenfinnan, but painting - solidly, for the most part. The Glenfinnan Gathering interrupted me, then visiting friends from the South...and only yesterday ( two weeks later), did I pick up the brushes and begin a new piece from Iona in order to help me finish the previous one I'd started from the South of France. Sometimes it happens that way. Sometimes, I just have to start a whole new piece before I can just work with new paint on an older painting. I hope to finish them both today - the rain will tell.... at the moment, its too dark to see my work correctly.... that's my excuse anyway! This post seems to be a stream of consciousness type post! But I digress.... in the meantime, one part of the interruption of the two weeks was an incredible journey down the lochside with a friend in my little BMW Z3.... 18 miles (about) of gravel road - no one in their right mind but a former resident of Taos, NM, (famed for its dirt roads and spring mud) would take such a car on such a road, but she did it well, and as long as I drove slowly, handled it perfectly. then I also spent two days in lovely Glenaladale - reachable only by boat - working hard helping friends and getting inspired to paint more of the Highlands. This too is part of my job. Not just hanging in the studio, looking at my photos, remembering and then picking up the brushes; but, experiencing the landscape, the people, and letting it speak to me! (Which is why I get so stuffed up if I'm in denial about what's really happening in my life - I don't hear the voices of the landscape, the music, the people's hearts.) So, while this post is about painting, its mostly about what else is there that helps the painting progress. I'm also STILL in Glenfinnan - having passed through two offers of short-term residence in France that I've not been able to take advantage of - YET. But I've had a sale on that will end soon, that has helped me get closer to taking the leap of faith I must take in order to leave. in the meantime, I was here to be reinspired; and that's a good thing too. My life, and I suspect the lives of many artists, is about ebb and flow; and as much as we'd LIKE to plan it, and have things move according to that plan, it is pretty much impossible and out of our hands. The important thing for me is to keep working, keep an eye out for open doors, and ear to the ground for approaching train wrecks, and be ready to leap when it really HAS to happen. So, my post illustrations are about inspiration, rather than completed work!! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iV5XipIUN6k/UhyN7VoZhjI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Mh69e46B3pU/s1600/114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iV5XipIUN6k/UhyN7VoZhjI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Mh69e46B3pU/s320/114.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RlUwwmDC4BE/UhyOafuRpdI/AAAAAAAAAI8/1j9ZR2-pvMY/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RlUwwmDC4BE/UhyOafuRpdI/AAAAAAAAAI8/1j9ZR2-pvMY/s320/056.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5P3d1crrRWg/UhyOZVsTd0I/AAAAAAAAAI0/a8TMf4mt2XI/s1600/072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5P3d1crrRWg/UhyOZVsTd0I/AAAAAAAAAI0/a8TMf4mt2XI/s320/072.JPG" /></a></div>The completed work will come - soon! Enjoy!!Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-30222017673580476362013-07-25T04:28:00.000-07:002013-07-25T04:28:32.244-07:00EPIPHANY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DKaA22KFvBE/UfELD1HtrmI/AAAAAAAAAII/wNLXZxLFwjk/s1600/064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DKaA22KFvBE/UfELD1HtrmI/AAAAAAAAAII/wNLXZxLFwjk/s320/064.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GA9bLr3aWOE/UfELLDjSjmI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/TvLfvGEc7kk/s1600/White+Sands,+North+Beach,+Iona,+11+x+14+in.,+oil+on+board,+L1,000.00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GA9bLr3aWOE/UfELLDjSjmI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/TvLfvGEc7kk/s320/White+Sands,+North+Beach,+Iona,+11+x+14+in.,+oil+on+board,+L1,000.00.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VsGK6v7ifxA/UfELQ-HRQsI/AAAAAAAAAIY/hf8x6OSQfwM/s1600/Memories+of+Iona,+for+Fiona+2013++8+x+10+in.,+oil+on+board++SOLD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VsGK6v7ifxA/UfELQ-HRQsI/AAAAAAAAAIY/hf8x6OSQfwM/s320/Memories+of+Iona,+for+Fiona+2013++8+x+10+in.,+oil+on+board++SOLD.JPG" /></a></div>I finally started painting this past weekend (Sunday, July 22, 2013 if you want to know). After 2.5 months, it was a momentous thing....shutting the door to the sitting room, putting Lyle Lovett on the stereo (Road to Ensenada, my current favorite - because I love to dance SO much)and just did it! Just picked up the brushes after spending hours sketching from my photographs of Iona (from this past March trip), and began to work. First finishing a painting I'd begun just before went to France at the end of April. Nothing like the end of a dry period to give you a feeling of euphoria, of "whew!" (because its hard not to think you'll never paint again!)I've been at it now, for days - and no stopping in sight! What has made this transformation? I truly believe it was in ONE moment. One distinct point in time where I shifted from feeling lost, terrified of the future to one of acceptance and realization. I was hit with the realization that as difficult as this time of changing life and low income is, that it could be SO MUCH WORSE! That in loosing my old, much loved studio, I was given a distinctly brighter one, and best yet, a soft landing and time. So, I am grateful, humbled and accepting of this time. I know that the best way to begin to sell paintings is to begin to create them! These are tenents I live by, and have followed for a long time now...and hold them to be true! So, in having this epiphany, I felt the shift - from not being able to paint, to being able to paint. As usual, when I start working after a long layoff, its prolific and I think, good work....directly from my soul. First, I had to tear down the walls I'd created once again to protect myself from the encroaching black cloud of fear of failure (we all have our methods - this time, it was an accidental, yet fun evening of birthday celebration). I don't recommend this to anyone, but it seemed to be what I needed to do at this point in time. Then, a week or more of the black fog as I wandered in circles - really feeling my emotions for the first time in several months. Then, a week lost to the computer - so important to my work because of all the photos that now are stored there (which in the end I fixed myself - giving me a huge sense of relief and accomplishment!).... and suddenly, the epiphany, and work. Given how light and peaceful it is, I think I'm definitely, HONESTLY, out of the black fog. Enjoy!!!Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938227351104062694.post-14688109166008744342013-07-05T03:13:00.000-07:002013-07-05T03:13:11.464-07:00Stillness and ChaosHello again! Last time I wrote, I had just moved into the new studio - and it wasn't quite ready to work in. It now is....and I've spent the last week sitting in it for most of the day - reading light novels, looking at my photographs, re-photographing paintings, letting the NEED to paint come through strongly enough that I can once again pick up the brushes after nearly 2 months! At this point, 2 months feels like an eternity....as if I will never paint again! But there are interruptions to this stillness. I share this house with my dear friend Grahaeme, who has kindly and generously offered me space while my life sorts itself out. We are both creative people (he is a poet and gardener), needing long periods of solitude, and while we hang in our separate parts of the house, I'm sure he feels my presence as much as I feel his. Not in a bad way. In fact, in many ways, its been very good to not live alone for awhile! But, I find its easy to let my mind float to whatever activity is happening outside or somewhere else in the house; to help my cat adjust to this new space and all the new residents around us; to try and help clear out so that there is a comfortable order to the general chaos... anything but focus on allowing the first paintings to come out. Its nearly there. I can feel it.... alas an interruption again tomorrow.... the memorial of a very dear friend... distractions! I'm trying to start working with images from Iona once again, so I'm going to show you some of the photos from my last trip.... enjoy!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jUpKJouV9go/UdabUgaNIJI/AAAAAAAAAHo/xZxxj3A4Aek/s1600/163.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jUpKJouV9go/UdabUgaNIJI/AAAAAAAAAHo/xZxxj3A4Aek/s320/163.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LF7fZ6pOmVU/Udabf9RRdTI/AAAAAAAAAHw/Fcu6MKT-ZQQ/s1600/134.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LF7fZ6pOmVU/Udabf9RRdTI/AAAAAAAAAHw/Fcu6MKT-ZQQ/s320/134.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9x63qMIjx6k/UdacAHCZkxI/AAAAAAAAAH4/15polbcHqrs/s1600/Winter's+Day,+Iona+9+x+12+in.,+oil+on+board+(Pleinaire)+%C2%A3700..JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9x63qMIjx6k/UdacAHCZkxI/AAAAAAAAAH4/15polbcHqrs/s320/Winter's+Day,+Iona+9+x+12+in.,+oil+on+board+(Pleinaire)+%C2%A3700..JPG" /></a>Gail Wendorf Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622685704468981843noreply@blogger.com0